B (1:52)

I asked before we. I said, how does it look? And I was told it looks great.

A (1:57)

Who lied to you?

B (1:58)

Anthony Pusey.

D (1:59)

Is there a way you can scoot up? Can you scoot up?

B (2:01)

I will, but. But why do I ask questions?

A (2:04)

What would the alternative be exactly?

B (2:06)

Well, no, because Anthony's like the Yankees. You ask them questions and everything's all right.

A (2:10)

Everything's fine. What are you talking about? All is well. Well, considering I saw you and I didn't see allen up until 30130, that was a very vast improvement to what Alan had going on.

D (2:19)

Okay, all right. I know.

B (2:21)

I'm gonna.

D (2:21)

I'm gonna defend Allen here, though. You had a pretty good Idea that Alan and I would be in the same position that we're basically always in. Don is the wild card. We all know that we have to accept who we are.

A (2:32)

Look at how beautiful the shot is.

D (2:33)

A man who could either be face.

B (2:37)

Peter at the start of the show. Is it better now? I'm Marla Hooch from League of Their Own. And Marla Hooch, what a hitter.

A (2:50)

They keep her away from the camera.

D (2:52)

That's on way in the background.

B (2:54)

Is it. It's not. It's no better. Oh, my God.

D (2:58)

No, it's a little better. And listen, the fact of the matter is, we have working video with Don on the road.

A (3:04)

Not complain.

D (3:05)

He's getting closer and closer. We're doing pretty good here, Alan. We hear him. We see his beautiful white. The hair on his head, which I got a haircut only is that. And I feel good about it.

A (3:16)

All right.

B (3:17)

Do you think it looks. You think this can work?

A (3:20)

This is gonna have to work now.

D (3:22)

Yes.

B (3:22)

Now I will say I think.

A (3:26)

You.

B (3:26)

Could make the case you guys are a little too close.

A (3:30)

You could.

B (3:31)

And that I'm actually in a position that's a little bit more the norm. But whatever. We'll make it work.

A (3:36)

So if I go back here now, I'm a little more like. That's. It's Don's level. Does that look better?

B (3:42)

That looks fantastic. Now, Peter just got to step back. Just.

A (3:45)

Peter, now it's up to you. A mic stand, Peter, can you do it? This is. Look, we all. We're in a new world now. Audio doesn't mean anything anymore. What we talk about means nothing. It's all about, does it look good? That's all that matters. All that cares about is how does it look?

D (4:03)

All the time is, it's not radio. You don't do radio.

B (4:07)

No, this is content.

D (4:08)

You make content.

A (4:09)

This is content. This is what it's about.

D (4:12)

The word content.

A (4:14)

Don, a great man once said, how many chances you get?

D (4:19)

Here we go.

A (4:20)

Aaron Boone was first of all, Joel Sherman, I thought was fantastic in the. In the Yankee media availability today because he asked the questions that are the ones you say, how come no one is asking this? And he asked. They were tough questions. He asked Aaron Boone the question about why should fans and everyone else believe that those are in charge of this organization, the hierarchy, those are leading the way, can lead the way to a championship. His answer sounded like a guy that wasn't sure how to answer the question. Take a listen to this.

E (4:56)

I don't know. The reality is we've Had a really good club in certain years, probably one of the best clubs in the league. But all I know is it's time to dust ourselves off and try and build another club that puts us in position to take a run again. So I don't know what to tell you. Like, we have a lot of really good people here, a lot of really good players, a lot of really good staff members, and a great front office that are working our tails off to put us in the best position to take our shot every year and to take a run in October and to get to October baseball and play for it. So I can't answer that because I haven't got this team to the top of the mountain. So until I do, all I can tell you is I'm confident in my ability to lead this team. I'm confident in our organization to build the team that gives us a chance to win. But ultimately, that's, you know, I can't tell you anything to make you feel good that ultimately it's about us winning number 28. And all I can tell you is I'm working my butt off to try and be a part of helping us bring that back.

B (5:58)

And ultimately, what he's telling you in that cut is we built a good enough team to win a championship. We just didn't. I don't know why. We had all the elements. We were great in the regular season, and for whatever reason, we just could not win the chip. Well, I mean, that to me is. It's kind of lazy analysis because, yeah, you had a team that was supposed to be the best in baseball, yet you lost the tiebreaker to the Blue Jays that don't have your payroll, that don't have your starting pitching, that aren't supposed to be as good as you. And yet not only were they as good as you, record wise, they dominated you in the regular season to the point that they had home field advantage in the postseason. So don't paint me like, oh, we're the best team in baseball. Just stay. It's just one of those things. Well, one of those things. You ended up being a wild card team and not win your division. The answer to that question, guys, made more sense last year when you won your division. You were the best team in the American League. You navigated through the American League to the World Series and lost, in my opinion, to a better baseball team. Yes, you kicked the ball around in that fifth inning of Game 5 and didn't look great. That answer made more sense last year. This year, no, it shouldn't because if you're the best team in baseball, then why are you a wild card team? Why were you dominated by your divisional opponents? Why did you go quietly into that good night against that playoff team?

E (7:23)

Why?

B (7:25)

So I think that his answer, guys would have made a lot more sense last year.

D (7:34)

I wasn't mad at this answer, actually. I got to tell you, I was. Alan, I don't know about you. I sort of felt it was honest. Like, I'm not going to try to sell you something that I know is a blatant lie. How can he tell someone that they should continue to have blind faith in this baseball team to be better when they know they're not going to be ripping everything down from the top, starting over again? There aren't going to be any major changes. I just appreciate him not feeding us complete bs. I thought it was a moment of actual humanity from Aaron Boone.

A (8:05)

I agree. I agree with you, Peter. I think he was honest. I think he was fighting, giving the, you know, the BS response, right? Just again, slapping more BS on top of, like, no one believes it anyway. He knows what's being said. He understands the narrative. And that's why I said, like. Like Don famously said, how many chances you get, right? I think even he knows, like, just think about just. Just New York alone, let alone in. In baseball, how many coaches last this long without having the ultimate prize, right? Like, eventually it just starts to wear where you think, all right, we got to get somebody that can get this team over the top, because this guy clearly can't. That's what we all start to assume. And I think he knows that, which is why he didn't do like Brian Cashman when his assessment of the season, you know, it wasn't good enough. I think that's the. That's the strongest comments that Cashman made about the season. But then he also reminded us about all the other good things that happened this year and the success year after year that they have. And then, of course, the famous how difficult it is, well, to win the whole thing. And, you know, it's easy to talk about, but those of us who are in the fight every day, it's a difficult challenge. And that's, you know, that Boone didn't want to go there. And I agree with you, Peter. I appreciated that.

B (9:33)

Well, let's hear Cashmen say that. I think they want to hear the tone of what you just said.

F (9:38)

You know, we've had. Had success and failure, obviously failed in our ultimate goal and had some success, obviously, along the way. We had A good team that. But fell short of our ultimate goal. So, you know, I leave it for the. The masses to debate what it ultimately came out of. A lot of things we accomplished and players that we. I knew that they were fighting. They were talented, they were fighting, they were committed and. But wasn't good enough.

A (10:02)

Good friends we had. Good friends we lost along the way. Like, he. He's just. That's the same song every year.

B (10:10)

But don't. Here's what I don't like about the ton. You're right. Overall, I'm not mad at Aaron Boone because it's not like it's all his fault.

A (10:17)

No.

B (10:18)

But there were some things I picked. I just thought it would have made more sense because. Because you didn't make. You didn't win the division. You didn't give yourself the best chance in the postseason, so you weren't the best team, and that hurt you. Where last year, you were at least the best team in the American League, and you lost to a better team in the Dodgers. And this was supposed to be the year you were supposed to get better. Take the step forward. You had a nice pivot after losing Juan Soto, and you took a step back. What I didn't like about Brian, guys, is though, I'll let the masses this. You know damn well what the masses think. They've been following George Steinbrenner's edict for the last 50 years. Win or death.

A (10:52)

Right?

B (10:53)

You know what they're thinking, so don't pass it all. Let the masses decide. You know, don't treat us like morons. We know what the masses want. The masses want a championship, and they want your head on a platter. Why don't you just accept that, all right? And don't make it seem like all. It came across as condescending, like, we don't matter, the fans don't matter. Who cares what they think? My owner loves me. I'm practically a relative to him. There's no way I'm gonna lose my job, so shut up. That's what it came across to me, didn't it?

A (11:22)

Am I wrong? Yeah, well, let the masses decide. Come on, Brian. It's always his attitude. That's the part that bothers me. But speaking of Steinbrenner, who has not spoken, at least hasn't spoken yet, Brian Cashman did reveal what conversations with Hal Steinbrenner were like. Here's what he said.

B (11:40)

Yeah.

F (11:40)

I mean, he's frustrated, disappointed. You know, he wants a championship here. Another one. Just like, you know, for him and his Family. So I'll speak on behalf of Hal and his family. They, I think, believed, you know, not just recently, but many times that we had a chance to do something. But it's not a given if it was a given. And people who had that championship caliber gene that had punched through, if that gene was repetitive. And I'm not talking about a gene from handed down from father to son, like, you know, the great George Steinbrenner, who belongs to the hall of Fame, to a song, talking about a gene of winning. You know, there's many a great player that maybe they punched through one time or many a great manager that's punched through and won something and we've done it and Hal Steinbrenner's done it. But it doesn't guarantee, it's not a given that you're going to continually do it.

B (12:21)

It's the crapshoot argument again, isn't it? Yep.

A (12:23)

Wanted to remind you, by the way, that they've done it. You know, you hear him say that stuff too. True, but we've done it.

B (12:30)

But again, read the room.

A (12:32)

All right.

B (12:32)

Well, the Giants were able to punch through it three times, right? The Astros were able to punch through it multiple times, Red Sox multiple times. You know, so, yes, it's very difficult to win. And there's parody in baseball. We know this. All right, it's very difficult to win. And that's why we're not holding him, at least. I don't, I don't think you do. To the standard of the four championships in five years, because that's not going to happen anymore. That doesn't exist. What does exist is being able to, at least since 2009, a consistent playoff team. Can you, can you punch through once? I mean, one World Series appearance, you know, in the last 15 years, no championships in that span of time, Alan. So I think the fans are not asking you to win every year, but can you punch through occasionally?

A (13:20)

Well, they think that last year was a. Was getting close, right? Punching through, getting close last year. But how about what he said about the Blue Jays? This was a team that was in last place last year and they didn't do anything significant with the roster. They got healthy. That was certainly there. You thought you had a better team. Buna talked about it, how they. They were. He felt like they had. This is the best team he's ever had, best roster he's ever had because of all the versatility. And yet there was one team they couldn't beat, and that's why they couldn't get out of the ds. Listen to Cashman talking about the Blue Jays.

F (13:57)

We could not solve the Toronto Blue Jays this year. They rolled us in the regular season, they rolled us in the postseason. Bottom line, we didn't earn the right to move forward. It's as simple as that. I don't think it's about leadership. I just think it's about competition at a given moment in time and it's for you and, and then the fans obviously that support us to judge it one way or the other.

A (14:15)

They rolled us.

B (14:17)

Yeah. And I mean that's going to happen. But you know, he didn't bring up they were in last place last year as hey, every year is different. He's bringing up last place because hey, we didn't finish the last place last year. We never finish in last place. That doesn't happen to us. A little subtle reminder that hey, yeah, the Blue Jays got the best of us. But you know, what are the Blue Jays done? They haven't won since 1993. They were a last place team last year. Again, it's measuring themselves against other teams when everybody else in the market is measuring the Yankees against themselves. So I just don't like, I'm not just in love with the tone. I didn't know what to expect today. I mean expect anything different today than we usually get. But I just. Because I think we all come from a place of being fans, you know, we've all covered sports now. We're a little bit jaded than the 18 year old selves that we were when we fell in love with sports and all that. But I just don't like being condescending to the fans as if our opinion really doesn't matter, you know. And I guess we can't get these people fired because Hal's not going to make, is not going to listen to us or listen to the fans in that capacity. But you know, I just didn't like the tone guys, especially from Brian.

A (15:32)

I think it was more bright. I thought Boone was fine. You could tell he was, he was conflicted. You could tell this season took a lot out of him by the way he still got the cough. You notice that? Did you notice he was still clearing his throat? And you could like remember he got sick later in the year and it almost like he could never shake it. So I, I do, I kind of like, I kind of feel for him a little bit because you know he's carrying this, you know, he knows like, like I just said before, he knows nobody gets this many chances like by now in most places there's a new.

B (16:07)

Manager and then the reason, the reason I'm not going to get crazy is just because I don't think it was his fault.

A (16:12)

No, I don't either.

B (16:13)

I, again, I'm not sure there are fans are going to tell you he should have done this, he should have done that. But I don't think this is a managerial problem. I don't. I think this has always been a roster issue with this team in, in not just being light in certain areas because I don't think they are. I think, I think they're very strong in a lot of areas. But do they have enough winners? Do they have enough guys that can handle New York?

A (16:34)

You know what that was asked, it's funny, that was asked as well about having a team. I think again Joel asked that question about the having that team that's at its A game in October, which is the only time that matters. Don't we always talk about this when they're playing well in the regular season? Well, we always say it doesn't matter. But Cashman's answer to having a team playing its A game in October is interesting.

F (16:54)

Listen, you have to fire in all cylinders. That means you got to pitch to the best of your abilities consistently. That clearly didn't happen in the Toronto series and you got to hit to your best of your abilities. You know, the sample sizes are so small that you know when opportunities present themselves you have to capitalize. Some guys who consistently hit in the postseason didn't hit in the division series. Some guys who've had people question whether they Ken hit in the postseason did produce. You need it all at the same time. You need everybody from your rotation to your bullpen to your start position player group on the lineup side to bring your A game.

B (17:25)

Well, Brian, I appreciate the definition of clutch. Right. I think, I think we know what it takes, what it looks like. We just want to know why you don't get players like that. Yeah, because I really do believe it never occurred to them that Devin Williams wasn't a New York guy. Just he looked at the numbers, he's going to be a good closer here and it never seemed to fit.

A (17:47)

And you know what Don? I have heard that they actually do put time into the background of a player, his mental makeup and all that stuff. I've heard they actually do that.

B (17:58)

I don't doubt that they do it. I just, I would question whether they do it A, enough or B, are they, are they asking the right questions? Because listen, I'm not Trying to say New York is. Is. Is better. It's just. It's. It's just different.

A (18:11)

It's harder.

B (18:11)

You could handle pressure. They may. There may be numbers, there may be stats to say this guy can come through in the clutch, this guy can handle the hot temperature, but New York is just different. Like, you might be able to handle it, but then you get to New York, it's like, whoa, I thought I could handle it. But, man, this is. This is different. When you saw Devin Williams walking in that room, go, why are all these reporters here? Yeah, like, you know, because it's New York, man. What you experienced in the divisional round of the playoffs last year or the wild card last year against the Mets, that's every day as a Yankee. Yep. Yankees playing the Royals on a Tuesday in May for a Brewer is like game seven of the World Series every single day, you know, the fans, 40,000 plus every single day calling you every name in the book, wishing you, hoping you die, walking down the street and people, you know, loving you and asking for your autograph, but somebody in the background screaming, you suck. And that's. I don't. Listen. We've lived in New York all our lives. I don't know if I'd be able to handle playing here with that kind of scrutiny. Right.

E (19:16)

Yeah, but.

B (19:18)

I know.

D (19:18)

And everyone gets sold on all the upside of it, but it's so hard to get to the point where you get the upside. So you then have to just deal what you know you're going to get is all the stuff Don just mentioned, all the scrutiny is there all the intense conversation. Worse than any other market in all of sports. But, Don, don't worry. If you win a championship, well, then it's all peaches and cream. Well, look around, guys. I don't see the championships falling out of the sky.

B (19:45)

And so it's just all the other stuff I'm describing, New York, it's probably times 10 to be a Yankee, because in the other places, when you win the championship, you're a of part Florida forever with the Yankees.

D (19:58)

Good point.

A (19:58)

Yeah.

B (19:59)

You might win it.

D (19:59)

You're part of the next five years.

B (20:01)

You know, you're not Jeter.

A (20:03)

Yeah. You know, at least you're in the. You're allowed in the room now.

B (20:05)

You're allowed to roll like Alex for now room.

A (20:08)

But if you don't have a ring, you're not allowed in the room.

B (20:10)

Yeah.

A (20:10)

Okay. 800-919-3776. A lot of people want to talk about this, as we expect, but There was some news that came out of it, not so great, by the way. So we already knew that, that Garrett Cole, although he is still, he is throwing off a mound a little bit. They want to. He's going through that right now, which is good, but clearly not going to be ready for opening day. That was stated. We kind of knew that. What we didn't know was that Carlos Rodon was not going to was going to miss the start of next season because he had some bone spurs in the elbow, some loose bodies. He had to get a clean out in the elbow. And so now it feels like he won't be ready for the very start of the season. It doesn't mean he's going to miss a ton of it, but he won't be ready for the start of the season. Then you also got Clark Schmidt, also another player, another pitcher going through it, as we know you won't have him. So me, you remember a couple of weeks ago when I said I'm actually looking forward to 2026. Now it's like where are they going to be in the second half of the year in 2026 if they finally can get everybody healthy but the arms not healthy. And then some other controversy. Anthony Volpe.

B (21:10)

Yeah.

A (21:11)

So all year long they were telling us that that shoulder thing and the labrum thing, it's not affecting his play that he can play through it. Well, then he had surgery, as we found out, and now there's like mixed signals from Boone and Cashman whether or not it did impact his play. But what we know is he will not be ready for the start of the season. So there's a lot of questions about that. It brings back memories of Anthony Rizzo didn't have a concussion until he did have a concussion. And other times in the past where the Yankees have had players playing through things until the end of the season when we found out that there was a bigger issue. Good news though on this front. Aaron Judge, his arm issue cleared. He has no issues. He's not going to do any offseason surgery. That is a one positive Don. But the injury news was also a bit of a damper on this press conference that already felt like a morgue.

B (22:05)

Yeah, the Volpe thing is irritating because we were told it's not affecting his play and now it sounds like it did affect his play. So that's. That doesn't feel great. And you also worry about these pitchers that aren't going to be ready to start the season. Well, how long will it take them to become what they're supposed to be. You know, we've seen pitchers come back from Tommy John. It take a while for them to become dominant again. Right. The ramp up, you know, Rodin not coming off of that kind of a surgery, but you know, missing spring training. So starting the year, is it going to take to May, June before he's finally able to get ramped up, you know, and now Volpe not available. They've got it. They can, they can pivot, they have a shortstop. But how does it affect them? And as far as the judge guys, I'm sorry. It seems like when the Yankees first tell us about an injury, something else happens. So right now judge doesn't need surgery. Is that going to be something that down the road we're going to find out that that wasn't 100% accurate either. So even if I'm a Yankee fan, that's good news for now, but I'd still kind of wait and see. Yeah how that ends up turning out.

D (23:03)

At the end of the day.

B (23:03)

Day.

A (23:04)

I mean the Stanton stuff too elbow wise. It doesn't sound like there's anything that they know of, at least right now. But you're right, Don. Throughout an off season, anything can change. But still, that, that's. Those to me are the hits. It was a very long press conference with both Boone and Cashman speaking in separate times, the media throwing questions at them. I thought Joel Sherman was fantastic with the questions because sometimes you got to ask the tough questions that, that do sound kind of like they're really challenging. But you got to get those answers and he got them and he sought them and those were the kind of things that you wanted to get out of this press conference. I just don't know if as if as a Yankee fan there was any satisfaction with any of the answers that you got today. Not that you would expect it. This episode is brought to you by State Farm.

B (23:51)

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A (25:21)

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

D (25:24)

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

A (25:26)

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. I love the intro to this.

D (25:36)

How do you know?

A (25:37)

With Don the Greek and Peter Rosenberg, I'm Alan Hahn. 800 now 193776 the number on the Yankees as they do their, their, their season wrap up as Aaron Boone spoke and then Brian Cashman spoke and once again you did not expect to hear what you wanted to hear. And a lot of fans wanted to hear that neither one of them were coming back. But we know both of them are right. It was interesting too, guys. When Cashman was asked about the hierarchy and the coaching and everything else, he said of, of Boone, I think he's a good manager. Like that's one I wrote down. Like there's some that like the phrases that I write down because they catch my attention. Right? And that was I think he's a good manager. Okay. Like, I don't know. I found that to be an interesting statement. Knowing that what everybody's saying, you'd think he'd might maybe pound the pulpit a little, a little stronger than I think he's a good manager.

B (26:34)

But is that I don't have to defend them or is like I really I shouldn't have to or why am I even bother?

A (26:42)

Well, he already had his back. Like the thing about him, the catch what I'm talking about because we've seen so many of these. And Don, you got to know this from all the years. Peter, you too. He had his back up the minute that press conference started. You know, like you could see it. He, he was, he was ready for it. So I think he, he was feeling punchy with a lot of his answers, but he was trying to maintain, he was trying to stay level with his responses without getting emotional. But you could feel every now and then a little intensity in his Words. There's no doubt he knew he was facing firing squad.

B (27:23)

Yeah.

A (27:24)

And so he was kind of. If he could have, like, taken the filter off and let loose, like we saw him do the one time where it was a scrum and he was talking about Volpe and fighting back about the Volpe stuff.

B (27:36)

Right.

A (27:37)

I. I think it would have been a way more entertaining press conference.

B (27:40)

It probably would.

A (27:41)

He stayed very monotone instead.

B (27:42)

I still believe that he was reprimanded for that. And that's not the Yankee way of doing things. So I'm sure he wants to do that, but not. Will not ever do anything. Like, it was a moment, though. But does that come from frustration, Peter? Or does it come from, I shouldn't have to be doing this. All we do is win. More successful than any of the franchise. Why am I being questioned like this? Why. Why are people. Why are we having a press conference? People telling me how great I am?

A (28:10)

I don't. You should be handing me an award. You should be thanking me.

B (28:12)

Take a look at what other general manager is as good as I am.

A (28:15)

Wouldn't it be great if he did that? You should be thanking me, in fact.

B (28:20)

And I like Brian. Like, I know it sounds like I'm killing him.

D (28:23)

It's just.

B (28:23)

I'm just tired. It's the same old narrative every single year. But, you know, where the fans want him fired. But the mission statements. The mission statement. And you can't run it back, even though clearly that's not the mission statement anymore. But, you know, let the fans decide. Well, the fans have already decided, Brian. You can't be that tone deaf.

A (28:40)

Pretty clear. Let's hear from the fans. 800-919-37766. Let's see. I just. You know what? Cor, Corey and Manalin is exactly where we want to begin. Go ahead, Corey.

B (28:59)

Cory.

A (28:59)

Silence is golden. Corey. Oh, well, Jay and Westchester. How about we try you. Jay.

C (29:12)

Hey, how's it going, guys?

A (29:13)

How you doing? Jay?

C (29:14)

Yeah, I'm all right.

B (29:16)

I'm right.

C (29:17)

I. I agree with you guys at 1%. And like I was telling whoever picked up the phone, I know they spend the money and the luxury tax was an issue, but I think it's the mindset that Cashman brings. His mindset is, hey, we're one of the most profitable companies. My bosses are happy at me. I don't think he has that instinct like his father had that we. We need championships. They keep putting out the same product year after year. You have to hit the home run, and that's the only way to win. They don't change up. They don't change up their order to bring in guys that could get on base. They don't. They just keep doing the same thing and like repetition, it's just over and over again expecting a different change. If you haven't gotten it in 19 years, you better try something different because it's not working.

B (30:01)

But here's the frustrating thing. Is it not work? It's not working for a championship. Clearly, you heard Brian say there are separate goals, there are levels to success. They haven't reached their ultimate goal. And clearly reaching the old or failing to reach the ultimate goal is not a fireable offense. But they, they recognize those successes. They recognize as things as check. So if they check five out of the six, they're throwing a party. The fans are upset because six is the championship. But I think they're kind of happy.

C (30:33)

Exactly. Yeah. And, and that's where I think that as a Yankee fan, I mean, I've been a Yankee fan for over 50 years. That's where I agree where if they don't change that mentality as like the father had, hey, it has to be championship or bust. I mean, you made it to ONE Championship in 15 years and you're happy with that. Now, if you would have told me, hey, we made it to the championship six, seven times out of the in the last 15 years and we just got beat by better teams. But you, you have us believing that you have the better team on roster, and yet you're still losing. You're not even making it to the championship. That's what I have the problem with. Yeah, you know, I think their gold is. I think their gold is set wrong.

A (31:16)

Well, Jay, it's a different standard. Everybody's saying it. Thanks for the call. And that's again why fans are frustrated, because I do think the expectations of the fan base is no longer the expectations of the franchise. And Cashman always reiterates how, you know, the Steinman family, you know, they're about winning championship. They carry over from the father and what he's like. He acts like it's all the same mindset, but it's not. And Don, you perfectly explain why it's not. Because there was a time where George had to win a championship. He had to sell tickets, he had to make the. He had to bring the brand back from the dead when he bought the franchise. And then it got to his head and the 80s happened. But there was a time, though, there was a desperation to win because it was about making money. But now it's the highest valued franchise in North America. They and the. And the Dallas Cowboys. And similarly, both franchises live off of A, the history in the past and B, the fact that they are immensely popular and they know it's a brand that's just never going to go away, so they live that way instead. And the rest of us live in the past of, hey, this brand is supposed to be about winning titles, not just 33 straight years of winning, winning seasons.

B (32:27)

Now, don't get me wrong, they want to win a title, they're disappointed, they don't win. But I think the mission statement, the new mission statement for this franchise is be consistently good. Because they constantly remind you all the Blue Jays were in last place last year. Oh, do you see all those losing seasons the Red Sox had before they won? Have you looked at the times the Giants didn't win when San Francisco won in 12, in 10, 12 and 14? Take a look at what they did in 11 and 13 and 15. Right. Didn't make the playoffs. And some of those seasons finished under.500, you know, so I bet you the mission statement is just. And they've done that every year above.500 every year in contender tension. And that's probably the mission statement.

A (33:11)

Now let's go to Javi and Queens.

D (33:15)

There he is.

C (33:17)

What's up, guys? Thank you for the Javi and not the Javier introduction.

A (33:21)

Alan, come on.

B (33:24)

That was special.

D (33:24)

That's right.

C (33:26)

Donnie and I just want to reflect on our last call. I love you too.

E (33:30)

Donnie.

C (33:30)

Thank you so much for taking my call and hearing what I got to say. I appreciate you, man.

B (33:35)

Yes.

C (33:36)

So listen, with the Yankees, I think this is going to go over well with the kids. I think I'd rather hear fingernails on a chalkboard than hear anything that Boone or Cashman has to say. Just because it's very rinse and repeat, they're not really saying anything. So I have a Yankees question for you guys, and I have a really quick Knicks one for Allen. With the Yankees, I just feel like the writing's on the wall. They're not going to have a big signing for a starter. They'll probably put money into the bullpen, maybe sign Bellinger, and that's about it. I think we're looking at pretty much the same team with a revamped bullpen. I don't know what you guys think about that. And with the Knicks, Allen, do you think the Knicks actually have a legit shot of winning 60 games this year? I know that's lofty. But, like. But the NBA looks kind of down, especially the East. Is this where, like, the. Can the Knicks finally kind of, like, just put their foot on the neck of the east and, like, be the beast of the East? I've been a Knick fan for so long that I don't believe that's going to happen, but that's just a pessimistic Knick fan in me. Alan, realistically, what do you think about this shot of winning 60 games this year? Thanks, guys, for taking call.

B (34:44)

You guys are the best.

A (34:45)

You got it. It's. Thanks, Javi. It's on the table, but it's going to take a fast start. And we're going to play something in a little bit from Mike Brown that suggests that you might want to tamp down those kind of expectations. So a little tease there for you. Let's continue. Troy in New Jersey. Go ahead, Troy.

B (35:05)

Hey.

E (35:06)

Hey.

C (35:06)

What's going on? I'm a huge Devils fan. I called in the Michael Cave show to congratulate Mr. LaGreca.

B (35:13)

You're doing awesome.

C (35:13)

I'm pumped up for the home opener, but I was actually calling in about Anthony Volpe. I asked this to Mr. K2. Have you ever seen in Yankees history any player getting as long of a leash as Anthony Volpe has?

B (35:34)

Sanchez got a pretty long one, right?

A (35:37)

Excuse me, Gary. Yeah, but the wording probably could have been better.

B (35:43)

He got a long leash and then eventually snapped. But I remember those phone calls. You remember, Alan, you were doing shows.

A (35:50)

Yeah.

B (35:50)

You're probably doing with. With Rick at the time. Why? You know, oh, he's a great framer. He's making excuses for him. And then eventually you ran out like Sanchez.

A (36:00)

Yeah, Gary.

B (36:02)

And.

C (36:06)

The same thing today, when talking about Volpe, they, you know, they're trying to paint it in a different light, as if he didn't have 19 errors, you know.

A (36:13)

Well, and again, you gotta understand, too, that the feeling is, is that the injury, now they're admitting it, that it did. Let's say here there's two different schools of thought. So this leads us in. Thank you, Troy. So first, Aaron Boone, when he talked about the Volpe injury, he kind of, like, suggested that he didn't think that it was anything that affected the way he played. No.

E (36:40)

Even going into this winter, like, surgery wasn't a certain. It was, do we do this surgery? And really what it comes down to is we have this time now and Anthony ultimately deciding, like, because there's things that. That he does to it over the course of the year that aggravated Right. I think for the overwhelming majority of the year was not affecting his play. There were things like he would dive on in a certain way, kick it off, aggravate it. I think in some ways, the injury probably got a little bit worse towards the end of the year based on a couple of episodes that happened. But I don't think it was impacting performance. And this is something that you can play with and play through. But the finality of getting it fixed now hopefully frees him up to, like, really go dive on it the way he's going to dive on it and make those next level of plays that Anthony makes. And then hopefully, because you're fixing something that is hurt on the body, that hopefully, you know, it does help perform performance, too, like go to another level.

A (37:37)

So there's that. Now, before we comment, fellas, here's Brian Cashman. When he asked, when he was asked, did Volpe's injury affect the way he performed?

F (37:46)

I personally think now I'll start leaning more into that. Yes, it was affecting him because ultimately he had to have a surgery. None of that was really on the table, you know, in season. So I think all things can be true. Was it bothering him to a level that was getting to a height of concern for us in season? The answer is no. Why is that? Player says it wasn't bothering. At that point, his physical testing was coming back strong. You know, we did an MRI that showed some old stuff in there. You know, Ahmad recommended we can do a shot. You banged it, falling on it, diving on it. That seemed to take care of it. You forget about it. Struggles keep happening. So I think it could be true on both ways. I think that, you know, I know people suggest maybe we underplayed the injury. I don't think that's true. I think we were trying to be as honest with our fans and our media who communicate to the fans what our medical staff, doctors, trainers, and then, you know, you treat complaints from the player.

B (38:36)

Well, that last part, I think, is really the undoing of it, is I think Anthony Volpe was not completely honest with them on how it felt.

A (38:44)

And that's a boon. Sit. Right.

B (38:46)

So, yeah, that probably disturbed things because they really were relying on our. How does it feel? Feels great. You sure? You know, it feels great, Skip. I can go out there and I can play. And maybe if he was a little bit more upfront on how he felt, that maybe that he would have gotten the surgery earlier, maybe gotten pulled out of the lineup. Now, I don't know how much when they're talking about struggles. Is this just the defense or all of it? Because it was also the offense that struggled.

A (39:10)

Well, I mean, yeah, but, but like that the middle of the season when they knew that there were issues and they were put, they were giving him shots and all that stuff, there had to come a point where they, because he said that it showed old injury and old stuff in it at some point. We said this during the season. You save the player from himself. You make the decision for him. Like, first of all, you're not playing well. It's probably affecting you and you don't want to admit it and clearly there's damage. Let's get this thing fixed. The problem is that would have ended his season. They didn't have a shortstop. They had no other options at that.

B (39:42)

Moment until they got Caballero.

A (39:44)

And if you don't think the kid knows there's somebody down in Double A and Triple A, I'm sure that is just waiting to take his spot. If you don't think he knows that and therefore he's like, I'm fine. Played through it. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. Absolutely. That's going on. If he had an eight year deal, there's no way he finishes the season exactly right.

B (40:03)

Exactly.

A (40:03)

But that's, but that's, look, that's human nature and I can't hold that against him. But I can, I can call call out the organization for it.

B (40:11)

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A (40:13)

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B (40:16)

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A (40:29)

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B (40:32)

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A (40:41)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

D (40:44)

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

A (40:46)

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back. We'll get to your calls again. 800-919-3776 in a moment. But hey, how about a little game time? Brought to you by TU Irish Whiskey because Donnie when it's game, I like. When he holds it, I do. Big hockey night tonight, boys. So we have first Rangers visiting the Maple Leafs up in Toronto. Coverage immediately follows us right here on 880 at 6:30pm Donnie and the Devils home opener tonight. That's why he's got that fancy tie On. And the suit, the hole. He got his hair cut. Look at him looking all luxurious. They open this. Oh boy. Home opener against the Panthers. He couldn't get like a. A homecoming. You gotta. You gotta face the Florida Panthers, Devil's panthers. That's a 7pm start. Catch Donnie. On MSG Networks, Islanders host Conor McGregor. Yes. Conor McGregor. That's what I said. No.

B (41:58)

Wow.

D (41:58)

It's interesting.

A (41:59)

It is. That is not. But obvious.

D (42:00)

Well, why would I say it's interesting though?

A (42:02)

But it would be interesting if Conor McGregor on ice would be really amazing if you think about it.

D (42:06)

Think about that.

A (42:07)

Yeah. Connor McDavid though is a lot better at hockey than McGregor and the Oilers at 7:30. And if you're interested in the baseball, we have NLCS game three for you on 10:50am that actually is coming up at 5:30. If you wanted to switch over and listen to some baseball. ALCS Game 4 coverage will be on 880 following the Rangers busy sports night tonight. There is also some football too, boys. Tell them. I do the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemurdo or try the new Telemurdo, honey. During today's action, glasses up to enjoying Telemore do responsibly. Don, you excited home opener. What does that tell you? He is excited. Nice and loud. He can't hear it thing, can he? Not a clue. He can't hear anything right now.

D (42:58)

He's staring off in the distance like almost like I wish I could be a part of. Part of this show.

A (43:03)

Which we have his mic off because what are they playing behind by the way?

D (43:08)

That music that's blaring in Don's ears. Yeah, Alan, that's what I was hearing when I heard Cashman and Boone talking. That's basically the light just blaring music.

A (43:17)

That's a cover of Post Malone and Morgan Wallen. I believe it's a cover.

E (43:23)

I believe that's.

A (43:23)

I had some help. And that doesn't sound like Post Malone and Morgan Wallen. Yeah, it didn't.

B (43:28)

But.

D (43:28)

But you know what? I'm.

A (43:29)

He. He looks thrilled though, doesn't he? If you. If you can get to YouTube, if you love Don Rants, who does? There's also the silent rant. Isn't there a silent rant? This feels like a silent rant.

D (43:42)

Anthony, let me hear him again.

B (43:44)

Jacob.

D (43:49)

I mean they're not even trying.

A (43:50)

Not even trying. Oh boy.

D (43:56)

I want. I want background music in my house and in the studio depending where I'M working.

A (44:02)

Oh, do we?

D (44:02)

Because you guys are gonna have different background music at Knicks games, at Devil's games.

A (44:07)

It's a good point back. You good? That was a cover band, huh? We have a cover band.

B (44:11)

I don't know.

A (44:11)

That looked like a silent protest by you.

B (44:13)

Well, it was a silent. But I just could not hear a word. Couldn't hear myself. Couldn't hear you. I didn't even try.

A (44:19)

You missed me saying Conor Mc. Conor McGregor and the Oilers.

D (44:23)

Yeah, he confused David some reason.

A (44:25)

I just went right to McGregor.

B (44:27)

I can understand Peter doing that a little. Surprised you.

A (44:29)

No, that was bad. Bad job.

B (44:30)

All these years doing this on the Michael K show. I never heard it this loud.

F (44:34)

And.

B (44:34)

And it's just in Columbus now here. Because it's opening night. That's the problem. This is not going to stand, guys. I got to try to figure something.

A (44:41)

I apologize. You know what? They play now in Newark, but they want them to hear it also at the old arena in.

D (44:50)

Hold on, you're making. Alan, you may be doing it. Jacob, let me hear the music again. You may be overdoing.

A (45:01)

Oh, now, now we got some maroon 5 cover. They have a live band at the Rock. You gotta love it.

D (45:07)

They are really getting at.

A (45:09)

You know. Remember when you guys had me yell to the DJ in Detroit?

D (45:12)

Yeah.

A (45:13)

Oh, I did turn it down. We probably saw that.

D (45:15)

Oh, we have a drop of it.

A (45:16)

Yeah.

D (45:17)

It was out of control.

A (45:18)

Yeah. I think Don needs to just completely scream down to someone. I like the idea that it was given the option to Don. Hey, would you like to be in a quiet room, you know, somewhere in the arena? No, you know what I think? I think the booth would be great. I love the idea of the booth. I think he's second guessing his decision.

D (45:38)

Wait, hold on. What was his logic, Anthony? Like, it would look cool.

A (45:41)

Look at the background. It looks awesome. We've got a cool NHL calibration in progress.

D (45:47)

But of all the. Yeah, there's a. That's a weird little calibration.

A (45:50)

Sure.

D (45:51)

But of all the people who you think would say screw what it looks like, I do a damn radio show.

A (45:58)

Yeah, you wouldn't.

D (45:59)

You think it would be Don Legrack.

A (46:01)

We needed a Don moment there. We did not get a Don moment. No, this is a silent rant. That's what he's got going on. Right.

D (46:07)

Let's check back in and hear how Don's doing. Because I see the end.

B (46:10)

Checking in with Don.

A (46:11)

They're almost done with this.

D (46:16)

That second chorus, though. Don, you're Almost.

A (46:21)

That was me in Detroit.

D (46:25)

Listen, the thing I'm excited about is I feel finally like we have leadership in. In John Winthrop who understands what the situation is.

B (46:38)

Okay.

D (46:38)

Like, there's fighting to try to make our show something it's not, and there's accepting what it is. The reality is, you know, the three of us love doing this show. Yeah, well, Anthony, we've been broken down. The three of us love doing this show and love hanging out. We also have other things we're passionate about that brings us to different parts of the world. In the case of Alan and Don, it sometimes is going to bring them to places where basically a concert is happening.

A (47:08)

Yes.

D (47:08)

On and off during the show. And you just got to be ready to roll with the punches. That means Don's getting potted down until this maroon 5 cover is over. Oh, come on. He's that way, is he?

A (47:23)

Like, you never know what's going to happen at any moment. But Don is so mad. He's so off the mic now. Look how bad he's. This poor man's defeated. Look at him.

D (47:32)

I. Those headphones are off.

A (47:34)

Home opener.

D (47:35)

Can we get a one shot of just Don, please?

A (47:37)

Yeah, just.

D (47:37)

Sorry. I'm not telling you to run the show. And I need a single. I'm done. Okay.

A (47:42)

No, hold on. There it is. Oh, yeah, he's on his.

B (47:46)

Just.

A (47:48)

He's checked out this. He is checked out.

D (47:51)

Listen, Don, you can't hear us, but the good news is we're about to hit a break anyway. It's the end of the hour. We'll come back fresh in the 4 o' clock, and one of two things will happen. Either we get Don legreca, or it'll be like living on a prayer.

A (48:03)

Or something new we could get. If we have living on a prayer, you know, he'll probably jump right out of that booth.

D (48:10)

I think he's back.

B (48:11)

I'm back.

A (48:12)

All right, we're going to break.

D (48:13)

Well, now we got to break the.

A (48:14)

It is time. It is time to go to break. We have more. Thanks for listening to my Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

D (48:23)

I don't want to know how the.

A (48:23)

Sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8, 880, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.